Press wheel with angled tines

Abstract

A press wheel includes a hub which rotates about an axis. A rim extends generally radially from the axis. The rim has a center plane defined as a plane perpendicular to the axis and generally bisecting the rim and defining the center of the wheel. The press wheel includes a plurality of tread portions extending away from the center plane. The plurality of tread portions have voids between adjacent tread portions on the same side of the rim, which in response to the wheel rotating, operably places consecutive adjacent tread portions proximal to the ground. The rim and tread portions are configured to contact the ground.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A press wheel comprising:
 a hub which rotates about an axis; 
 a rim extending generally radially from the axis, the rim defining a circumferential portion and a center plane defined as a plane perpendicular to the axis and bisecting the rim; 
 a plurality of tread portions connected to the rim along the circumferential portion and defining voids between adjacent tread portions, wherein each of the tread portions comprise a tine having a first tine portion extending from a first side of the rim and a second tine portion extending from a second side of the rim, and wherein the first and second tine portions define a tine plane that is inset relative to the circumferential portion and intersecting a tine plane of an adjacent tread portion adjacent the circumferential portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The wheel of  claim 1 , wherein
 the tine comprises a connection end connected to the rim, and 
 the first and second tine portions extend from the connection end. 
 
     
     
       3. The wheel of  claim 2 , wherein the first tine portion defines a first tine portion terminal end axially aligned with the connection end of the adjacent tread portion. 
     
     
       4. The wheel of  claim 3 , wherein the connection end is aligned with the circumferential portion. 
     
     
       5. The wheel of  claim 4 , wherein the connection end and an outermost edge of the rim adjacent the connection end are configured to contact a ground surface together. 
     
     
       6. The wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the tine plane defines a chord with each of the first and second sides of the rim. 
     
     
       7. The wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the tine plane is perpendicular to the center plane. 
     
     
       8. The wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tine portions form a V-shaped pattern. 
     
     
       9. A wheel comprising:
 a hub which rotates about an axis; 
 a rim extending generally radially from the axis, the rim having a center plane defined as a plane perpendicular to the axis and generally bisecting the rim; 
 a plurality of tread portions extending away from the center plane, wherein the plurality of tread portions have voids between adjacent tread portions that are located on a same side of the rim, which in response to the wheel rotating operably places consecutive adjacent tread portions proximal to the ground, wherein each of the tread portions comprise a tine extending away from the center plane and having a component in one or more of a radial direction, a component in an axial direction, or a component in a tangential direction, 
 wherein the tine portion defines a chord relative to a radial surface the rim. 
 
     
     
       10. The wheel of  claim 9 , wherein the rim and the one or more of the tread portions are configured to contact the ground at the same time. 
     
     
       11. The wheel of  claim 9 , wherein the rim and one or more of the tread portions are positioned in relationship to one another and are configured such that both the rim and one or more of the tread portions contact the ground for firming a surface of soil of seeded furrows to aid in the sprouting of plants. 
     
     
       12. The wheel of  claim 9 , wherein an exterior edge of the rim is coplanar with a portion of each of:
 a first tine portion of the tine that extends from a first side of the rim; and 
 a second tine portion of the tine that extends from a second side of the rim, opposite the first side. 
 
     
     
       13. The wheel of  claim 9 , wherein a terminal end of the tine is axially aligned with a connection end of an adjacent tine. 
     
     
       14. The wheel of  claim 9 , wherein the tine portion defines the chord as being aligned with, or separated form, a chord of an adjacent tread portion. 
     
     
       15. The wheel of  claim 9 , wherein the tine is seated in the rim. 
     
     
       16. A wheel comprising:
 a hub which rotates about an axis; 
 a rim extending generally radially from the axis, the rim defining a circumferential portion and a center plane defined as a plane perpendicular to the axis and bisecting the rim; 
 a plurality of tread portions extending away from the center plane, wherein the plurality of tread portions have voids between adjacent tread portions that are located on a same side of the rim, which in response to the wheel rotating operably places consecutive adjacent tread portions proximal to the ground, and wherein each of the tread portions are formed from a tine extending from a radial surface of the rim in a direction that includes a component in one or more of a radial direction, a component in an axial direction, or a component in a tangential direction, and wherein the tine and the radial surface define a tine plane that forms a chord along the radial surface that interests no more than two chords of adjacent tread portions within the circumferential portion. 
 
     
     
       17. The rim of  claim 16 , wherein the tine comprises
 a connection end extending from the radial surface, and 
 a terminal end axially aligned with the circumferential portion defined by an outer edge of the rim about the radial surface. 
 
     
     
       18. The rim of  claim 17 , wherein the terminal end is axially aligned with a terminal end of an adjacent tread portion. 
     
     
       19. The rim of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of the connection end is flush with the outer edge. 
     
     
       20. The rim of  claim 17 , wherein the circumferential portion defines an arcuate circumferential edge between adjacent tread portions.